Yen at 97 to the US Dollar!

[CameraQuest]

For the last several years, the Yen has mostly exchanged 110 to 115 to the US dollar. Right now it is 97 Yen to the US Dollar!

If this sticks, it could mean increases from 10 to 15% or more on all Japanese goods to the US, cars, VCRs, or even god forbid,

CAMERAS!!!!! ARGH.

Stephen

[Stephanie Brim]

And me just getting my hands on a Bessa R...

[jonmanjiro]

I've been watching the slide too.

The dollar hasn't been this low against the yen since 1995!!!

[back alley]

i feel the need to buy something japanese...

[xayraa33]

i feel the need to buy something japanese...

buy a wakizashi.

[shimokita]

For many of us who are paid in Yen, the recent changes are not so bad except that it reflects deeper issues in play. Needless to say, that new Lieca is still the same price in Yen, but compared to buying it in Germany or US… anyway since Lieca Japan does the five year guarantee, I will stick to local purchases.

Maybe Canon's release strategy is not such bad timing after all.

CLH

[jonmanjiro]

It was about 100 in january of 05, and then took off again, after hovering below 110 all of 04. Closed on friday at 99. Looks like more bad times for the Japanese exports to the US, even more jobs here from Japanese companies in the future.

Now if we can just make sure this war, and its endless drain on the economy for nothing, stops. To bad Clinton could not keep his pants zipped, we would all be so much more wealthy today.

Those democrats, they just can't help themselves when it comes to sex. :)-:)

It got as low as 101.66 in Jan. 2005.
http://www.oanda.com/convert/fxhistory

With the unfolding Bear Stearns crisis, looks like the dollar is headed further south.

Now if the U.S. government goes and declares a "bank holiday" sometime soon, then we're into interesting territory. Haven't had one of them since 1932.

[M. Valdemar]

It's closer to 95 now. Gold is $1031 and rising.

The Bush administration assholes are absolutely vile. This is criminal. No joking around. This is freaky.

This is a killer for anyone who travels or imports anything, and the nasty effects will be here soon with a huge clunk.

When John Q. Idiot Public finally wakes up they should lock up these guys for life. John Q. Idiot Public won't do a thing until a loaf of bread is $25 and nobody can buy anything from China.

The morons are actually DEMANDING China leave the dollar peg, which will instantly collapse the dollar. They want to wreck it and it beats me why.

This is just the beginning. USA haters can gloat.

[xayraa33]

It's closer to 95 now. Gold is $1031 and rising.

The Bush administration assholes are absolutely vile. This is criminal. No joking around. This is freaky.

This is a killer for anyone who travels or imports anything, and the nasty effects will be here soon with a huge clunk.

When John Q. Idiot Public finally wakes up they should lock up these guys for life. John Q. Idiot Public won't do a thing until a loaf of bread is $25 and nobody can buy anything from China.

The morons are actually DEMANDING China leave the dollar peg, which will instantly collapse the dollar. They want to wreck it and it beats me why.

This is just the beginning. USA haters can gloat.

Don't you get the feeling that there is a plan to destroy the great nation called the United States of America from within?

[wontonny]

Order EVERYTHING from Japan, QUICK!


EDIT: NO wait! Exchange a bunch of dollars into yen! Then exchange it back after it goes back up!

[amateriat]

Well, let's just say that I don't think tomorrow's going to be a chipper day.

- Barrett

[Keith]

Bad luck for US consumers I agree but down here in Oz your weakening economy is providing benefits that can't be ignored. The price I can buy film for from the US compared to what I'm expected to pay locally is hugely advantageous. You're lucky to be able to buy TRI-X for $7.00 per roll in this country and even the crappy point and shoot stuff runs at $5.00 per roll.

With our dollar currently getting 95 US cents I'm very close to ordering myself a heap of 100ft rolls and getting another couple of loaders. :)

Oh ... commiserations by the way! :p

[ItsReallyDarren]

On the bright side, US goods (or whats left) are now cheaper for other countries to buy. Like kodak film and......agriculture? Weapons maybe... and Boeing jets but they proboably negotiate contracts for prices in advance.

[amateriat]

It got as low as 101.66 in Jan. 2005.
http://www.oanda.com/convert/fxhistory

With the unfolding Bear Stearns crisis, looks like the dollar is headed further south.
The little green figures that dance on his screen
Say everything you want to hear
and nothing they mean. - DPA MacManus

Unfortunately, Steely Dan's "Black Friday" and Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath" come to mind as well...


- Barrett

[aizan]

maybe i should open a savings account in a european bank...

[hugivza]

A weak US dollar does nobody any good. Australia is largely a commodity based economy, most of which are denominated in US dollars, so whereas we are trading at 0.95 at present this means our cost base is higher and our revenue lower. At least there is a glimmer of hope in this morning's news that Bear Stearns went to JP Morgan and not to the Japanese or Chinese banks, or disappeared completely off of the radar. I must admit though, blaming Clinton's dalliance with a intern for the current financial meltdown is drawing a long bow in my view: it suggests that the butterfly's wings are more powerful than I thought and chaos truly does reign!

[john_s]

As Keith said, for us foreigners, mail order from the US is looking pretty tempting at the moment. I just bought a Nikon F6 from B&H (to use while my Leica dealer sorts out why my new Summilux_ASPH and new body don't focus together).

[RML]

This is just the beginning. USA haters can gloat.

I won't. I can't stand US politics and quite a few other aspects of the country, but I won't gloat over the economy. Too many people are affected by it. And most of them can't do anything about it.

[photobizzz]

If congress would pass a tariff bill it would force the many countries that depend on our economy to adjust their exchange rates. Then BS like the "economic stimulous bill" wouldnt be necessary. Dont get me wrong $1200 will be nice in May/June but it does nothing but put us further into recession and increase the national deficit.

[ChrisN]

So Keith, where's the best place to buy some Ilford HP5 in 120 rolls at the moment?

[photobizzz]

I dont know that you (or I) will have a choice, the money will just show up in the mailbox and if you dont cash it...who knows if it will matter; unless there was a nationwide boycott, then maybe it would send a message.

[kbg32]

Too bad we can't hang ex-presidents and use their money to pay for the war and help the economy.

[rpsawin]

It's closer to 95 now. Gold is $1031 and rising.

The Bush administration assholes are absolutely vile. This is criminal. No joking around. This is freaky.

This is a killer for anyone who travels or imports anything, and the nasty effects will be here soon with a huge clunk.

When John Q. Idiot Public finally wakes up they should lock up these guys for life. John Q. Idiot Public won't do a thing until a loaf of bread is $25 and nobody can buy anything from China.

The morons are actually DEMANDING China leave the dollar peg, which will instantly collapse the dollar. They want to wreck it and it beats me why.

This is just the beginning. USA haters can gloat.

John Q. Idiot Public...? Elitist twit! Share your plan on how to fix this instead of name calling. I agree with your comments about the current administration but take great issue with your comments about JQIP.

Bob

btw...I've been an elitist twit so I speak from experience.

[Al Patterson]

John Q. Idiot Public...? Elitist twit! Share your plan on how to fix this instead of name calling. I agree with your comments about the current administration but take great issue with your comments about JQIP.

Bob

btw...I've been an elitist twit so I speak from experience.

Best to ignore messages you don't like, or the mods may slam you, rather than stop these posts from clueless partisans. I'll say it again, I don't come here to read leftists spewing anti-Bush speech. I come for for gear and photography talk.

[Al Patterson]

If congress would pass a tariff bill it would force the many countries that depend on our economy to adjust their exchange rates. Then BS like the "economic stimulous bill" wouldnt be necessary. Dont get me wrong $1200 will be nice in May/June but it does nothing but put us further into recession and increase the national deficit.

Read the history regarding the Smoot-Hawley tariff act. I'd wager a tariff act would push us deeper into the coming morass.

Again, let's talk gear. This other stuff is too depressing and divisive.

[retow]

Doesn't every (democratic) nation have the government it deserves?

:eek::eek::eek:

[Al Patterson]

Doesn't every (democratic) nation have the government it deserves?

:eek::eek::eek:

The best government money can buy... :D

[xayraa33]

Doesn't every (democratic) nation have the government it deserves?

:eek::eek::eek:

no not really, all deserve much better than what they got.
If the US dollar was tied to bi-metalism it would always be worth a dollar, instead of the Federal Reserve fiat monopoly game money, which the U.S. taxpayer always has to pay interest on.

[retow]

Don't understand the "they" (politicians, bureaucrats) versus "us" thinking. Weren't THEY elected by US, or at least the majority uf us (GW's first election may be an exception to this rule).

:o:o:o